AOC

The Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) system was established in France in 1935 as a means to regulate and protect the geographical origins and production methods of agricultural products, particularly wine. It was created by the Institut National des Appellations d'Origine (INAO) to ensure authenticity, quality, and consistency by setting standards for grape varieties, yields, production techniques, and defined geographic boundaries.

The AOC system built on earlier efforts to combat fraud and misrepresentation in wine, formalizing rules that connected a product’s characteristics to its place of origin, or “terroir.” Over time, it became the foundation for regulating not only wine but also cheeses, butter, and other regional products, reinforcing the link between geography, tradition, and quality.

Today, the AOC system remains central to French wine classification, with hundreds of appellations across the country. While maintaining strict guidelines to protect heritage and typicity, it has also influenced similar classification systems in other countries. The system continues to evolve, balancing tradition with the realities of modern viticulture and changing environmental conditions.